Which Chef and Blogger Are Behind the New Raw Bar in Town?

What happens when a celebrated chef and an astute food blogger enter into a bromance? The restaurant, of their dreams.

One of the many oyster varieties offered at Migonette's raw bar.

The wheels of Mignonette, the new raw bar and seafood joint that opened last week in Edgewater, were first set in motion years ago when chef Daniel Serfer habitually read Ryan Roman’s food blog, MiamiRankings.com, and pined for his then-new Blue Collar restaurant to earn a ranking. It took 10 months for that ranking to come, but it eventually did.

Roman became a regular at Blue Collar, and the two became fast friends, so much so that Roman was the best man at Serfer’s wedding. They ate out, critiqued dishes—including Serfer’s—and brainstormed on the Miami food scene. Both smitten with oysters, they envisioned the perfect raw bar in Miami, and once they finally found a space, they built it.

“It’s a serious raw bar and seafood-focused menu,” says Serfer, “But it’s still casual.” “We like to use the term ‘plain and fancy,’” adds Roman. “Causal with caviar and oysters.” Each day they serve eight oyster varietals, as well as four types of caviar, ranging from smoked salmon roe to Kaluga.

Serfer and Roman behind the scenes

For all the talk of raw shellfish, there’s lots more to the menu: a prime rib Serfer seems obsessed with; a seared redfish with haricot vert and piquillo peppers; daily rotating gumbos and chowders, and South African lobster tails (another Serfer favorite).

To round out the experience, the two pulled in experts: Lolo Reskin of Sweat Records fashions a soundtrack of Miami soul, jazz, and old-school hip-hop; Allegra Angelo (former sommelier at Michy’s) created the wine list, and Josh Hubner, one of only three cicerones (beer sommelier) in Dade County, chose the beers. They’ve even hung oceanic art installations from local artist Reed Van Brunschot. No, this is not the creation of your average bromance. 210 N.E. 18th St., Miami, 305-374-4635